MedTech Outlook Magazine: Specials Magazine

What if the answer to chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) wasn’t another drug, but a smarter way to work with the body’s natural rhythm? That’s exactly what Vibrant Gastro is doing with a first-of-its-kind FDA-cleared vibrating capsule—an innovative, drug-free approach that gently stimulates natural bowel movements from within. Conventional treatments for CIC typically fall into two camps: osmotic agents that draw water into the colon—often triggering unpredictable diarrhea—or stimulant laxatives that forcibly contract the colon muscles, causing discomfort and cramping. Vibrant offers a safer alternative that feels like your body finally remembering how to be at ease. Its technology works in harmony with the body’s internal timing, giving patients more control over their bowel habits, without fear of sudden urgency or social disruption. For physicians, it introduces a clinically validated alternative in a space that has seen little meaningful innovation in over a decade. “It’s a new way of treating CIC,” says Asaf Bar, CEO. “By offering a drug-free solution, we’re giving patients a safer, more natural way to find lasting relief—without the added strain of side effects or medication overload, especially for those managing other chronic conditions.” Activating the Vibrant capsule is a seamless part of the therapy, designed with patient ease in mind. The process begins by placing the capsule on a compact, USB-powered base unit called the pod. Once connected, the pod emits a soft beep and flashes a light for 15 seconds until set up is completed and the light turns solid blue, signaling it’s ready to activate the capsule via radio frequency (RF). Three seconds after the capsule is placed in the pod’s groove, the light turns solid green, confirming the capsule is ready. The patient then swallows it with a full glass of water, typically before bedtime, allowing the therapy to begin working with the body’s natural rhythm the next day. A built-in timer inside the capsule initiates a 14-hour preset delay, allowing it to travel naturally through the digestive tract before reaching the colon. Once there, the capsule begins a programmed sequence of gentle vibrations that stimulate mechanoreceptors—specialized nerve endings in the intestinal wall. These vibrations trigger signals through the enteric nervous system (ENS) to the brain and back, prompting the body’s natural process of contracting and relaxing the colon to move stool, supporting stronger, more coordinated bowel movements. After completing its cycles, the capsule is naturally excreted during a regular bowel movement.

Most knee rehab devices are limited by design; they are single-leg systems that support either flexion or extension. But recovery requires more than isolated motion. Patients need synchronized, full-range movement to regain mobility and restore function. Yet no existing device offers treatment for both knees, across both motions, in a single unified system. That’s where Full Range Rehab’s EZ Stretch, an overpressure therapy device, stands apart. With a bilateral and bidirectional design, EZ Stretch delivers a full-range rehabilitation experience. It’s a one-of-a-kind device on the market that simultaneously treats both legs while supporting both key motions in a single system. This means clinicians can address two challenges at once, without needing separate equipment. “Our device was developed in close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists, shaped by hands-on clinical insight and built to meet the real needs of patients recovering from surgery or injury,” says Jay Weiner, owner and executive director. Nowhere are those needs more critical than in the early stages of rehab, when every degree of movement matters. At this phase, precision is essential—too little force stalls progress, too much risks re-injury. EZ Stretch addresses that balance with a patient-controlled electric actuator that automatically adjusts to each user’s stiffness and tolerance, delivering a personalized stretch that supports healing without compromising safety. Unlike conventional setups, the device gently distracts the joint during flexion and avoids compression during extension, maintaining anatomically correct movement throughout the recovery process. Combined with high-torque roller pads that deliver more force than any other device on the market, EZ Stretch helps patients break through scar tissue and regain functional range faster. To make the experience easy from day one, a trained service representative visits each patient’s home upon delivery to provide hands-on instruction. Once trained, patients operate the device independently using a simple handheld remote. One button initiates an extension stretch, while another activates flexion. The design eliminates the need for belts, straps or complex adjustments. A T-bar lowers over the thigh with one hand, making the device especially accessible for seniors or patients with arthritis and limited mobility.